Chiang mai: A combined force of over 200 officers launched "Operation Chai Prakan to Suppress the Crisis," cracking down on a corruption ring that illegally obtained identity cards for unregistered foreign nationals, or "Registration 0." The operation involved searching 35 locations in Chai Prakan district, Chiang Mai province, and arresting 20 suspects. These included a former district officer, village headmen, homeowners acting as witnesses, and Myanmar nationals accused of fraudulent identity theft. The suspects appear to be part of a network with interconnected activities, possibly linked to the illegal acquisition of "Registration 0" cards for migrant workers in Chai Prakan and other areas-a practice officials call "labor laundering." Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend all those involved.
According to Thai News Agency, the crackdown highlights the ongoing issue of corruption within local government ranks, particularly in relation to the issuance of identity cards to unregistered foreign nationals. The illegal practice not only undermines the integrity of immigration systems but also poses significant security concerns. Officials involved in "Operation Chai Prakan to Suppress the Crisis" emphasized their commitment to dismantling the network and preventing such illegal activities in the future. Further investigations aim to uncover the extent of the network's operations and ensure that all individuals involved are brought to justice.